Interactive television system

ABSTRACT

A broadcasting station transmits script for presenting plural types of additional information relating to main broadcast in a vertical blanking interval included in a video signal. A television receiver generates an additional information selecting screen for selecting arbitrary additional information from plural types of additional information by executing the script according to a request signal received from a television remote controller, and displays in part of a display screen. Reflecting a selection instruction signal received from the television remote controller on the additional information selection screen, the script is executed according to the selection instruction, and selected additional information is generated and displayed on a display screen in a display format conforming to the content of the information.

This application is a Division of application Ser. No. 08/689,069 filedon Jul. 30, 1996.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an interactive television systemcomprising a transmission device of television waves for teletextmultiplex broadcasting, a household receiver having a teletext multiplexreceiving function, and a circuit device connected to the receiver, andmore particularly to an interactive television system for transmittingdesired data in a vertical blanking interval. The invention also relatesto an interactive television system of complementary information displaytype, virtual channel type, viewer participation type, response feedbacktype, broadcast relative online type, and broadcast independent onlinetype.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, along with the trend of high function and high precision ofgeneral household television using ground waves, the technology forutilizing the general household television is noticed as part ofmultimedia. At the present, teletext multiplex broadcast is available,and, for example, cooking recipe guide and translation synchronized withthe voice by character row display are presented as the informationservice relating to the program, or news, weather forecast, stock marketreport and others are presented as the information service not relatingto the program.

This kind of television, at the present, offers one-way informationtransmission from the broadcasting station to the general householdtelevision, and the purpose of use is limited to a small range ofapplication.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is hence a first object of the invention to present an interactivetelevision system comprising a transmission device of television wavesfor teletext multiplex broadcasting, a household receiver having ateletext multiplex receiving function, and a circuit device connected tothe receiver, in which the consumer cost is kept to a minimum byeffectively utilizing the existing infrastructure, and versatile andspecific information linking with the program is timely presented, andan interactive function between a television (household receiver) and aviewer is realized.

It is a second object of the invention to present an interactivetelevision system for realizing an information exchange system forgeneral household having the function of selection of information by theuser, that is, the interactive function, which is one of the features ofmultimedia information, easily by effectively utilizing the existinginfrastructure without demanding large consumer cost.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a television systemcomprises receiving means for receiving a video signal including controldata, means for identifying the control data from the video signalreceived by the receiving means and for storing the identified controldata, means for inputting an instruction from an operator, a display,first display means for displaying an additional information selectionscreen for selecting arbitrary additional information from plural piecesof additional information on the display, according to the storedcontrol data, in response to the instruction input by the input means,and second display means for displaying a screen corresponding toadditional information selected by the operator of the plural pieces ofadditional information on the display, according to the stored controldata, in response to the instruction input by the input means.

This interactive television system makes effective use of the existinginfrastructure for selection of information by the user, that is, theinteractive function, which is one of the features of multimediainformation. It hence presents an interactive television system ofcomplementary information display type that is easily realized withoutdemanding large extra cost to the broadcasting station and users.

Herein, as the existing infrastructure, the broadness in coverage andrapidity in reporting which are basic features of television broadcast,coding transmission system in vertical blanking interval (VBI) oftelevision broadcast, and public telephone line are utilizedeffectively. In an economically advantageous system, still more, theinteractive television system of complementary information display typecapable of presenting specific information timely by linking with theprogram is realized.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a television systemcomprises a receiver, and line processing device, the receivercomprising: first receiving means for receiving a video signal includingtransfer destination information and control data, means for identifyingthe control data and the transfer destination information from the videosignal received by the first receiving means and for storing theidentified control data, means for inputting an instruction from anoperator, a display, a memory for storing identification information,display means for displaying an additional information selection screenfor selecting arbitrary additional information from plural pieces ofadditional information according to the stored control data, in responseto the instruction input by the input means, and output means foroutputting transfer data corresponding to additional informationselected by the operator of the plural pieces of additional information,together with the identification information stored in the memory,according to the transfer destination information, in response to theinstruction input by the input means, and the line processing devicecomprising: second receiving means for receiving the transfer data andthe identification information output from the output means, andprocessing means for executing processing which corresponds to theadditional information selected by the operator, according to thetransfer data and identification information received by the secondreceiving means.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a television systemcomprises a plurality of receivers, and a line processing deviceconnected to the plurality of receivers, each one of the plurality ofreceivers comprising: first receiving means for receiving a video signalincluding transfer destination information and control data, means foridentifying the control data and the transfer destination informationfrom the video signal received by the first receiving means and forstoring the control data and the transfer destination information, meansfor inputting an instruction from an operator, a display, a memory forstoring identification information, display means for displaying anadditional information selection screen for selecting arbitraryadditional information from plural pieces of additional informationaccording to the stored control data, in response to the instructioninput by the input means, and output means for outputting transfer datacorresponding to the additional information selected by the operator,together with the identification information stored in the memory to theline processing device, according to the transfer destinationinformation, in response to the instruction input by the input means,and the line processing device comprising: second receiving means forreceiving the transfer data and the identification information outputtedfrom the output means, and processing means for executing predeterminedprocessing in every one of the plural pieces of additional information,according to the transfer data and the identification informationreceived by the second receiving means.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a television systemcomprises a receiver, and line control device, the receiver comprising:first receiving means for receiving a video signal including transferdestination information and control data, means for identifying thecontrol data and the transfer destination information from the videosignal received by the first receiving means and for storing the controldata and the transfer destination information, means for inputting aninstruction from an operator, a display, a memory for storingidentification information, display means for displaying an additionalinformation selection screen for selecting arbitrary additionalinformation from plural pieces of additional information according tothe stored control data, in response to the instruction input by theinput means, and first output means for outputting transfer datacorresponding to additional information selected by the operator of theplural pieces of additional information, together with theidentification information stored in the memory, according to thetransfer destination information, in response to the instruction inputby the input means, and the line control device comprising: secondreceiving means for receiving the transfer data and the identificationinformation output from the first output means, a database dealing withat least one of the receiver and the operator, and second output meansfor outputting response data corresponding to the additional informationselected by the operator of the plural pieces of additional information,according to the transfer data and the identification informationreceived by the second receiving means, and the database.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, a television systemcomprises a receiver, and a server, the receiver comprising: firstreceiving means for receiving a video signal including telephone numberinformation and control data, means for identifying the control data andthe telephone number information from the video signal received in thefirst receiving means and storing the control data and the telephonenumber information, means for inputting an instruction from an operator,a display, a memory for storing identification information, firstdisplay means for displaying an additional information selection screenfor selecting arbitrary additional information from plural pieces ofadditional information according to the stored control data, in responseto the instruction input by the input means, output means for outputtingtransfer data corresponding to additional information selected by theoperator of the plural pieces of additional information, together withthe identification information stored in the memory onto a telephoneline, according to the telephone number information, in response to theinstruction input by the input means, and second display means forreceiving the response data output on the telephone line, and displayingthe information corresponding to the received response data on thedisplay; and the server comprising: second receiving means for receivingthe transfer data and the identification information output from theoutput means through the telephone line, a database dealing with atleast one of the receiver and the operator, and means for retrieving thedatabase according to the identification information received by thesecond receiving means, and outputting response data corresponding tothe transfer data onto the telephone line.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, a television systemcomprises a receiver, and a server, the receiver comprising: input meansfor inputting an instruction from an operator, a display, a first memoryfor storing identification information, a second memory for storingtelephone number information of a the server, output means foroutputting transfer data corresponding to the instruction input by theinput means, together with the identification information stored in thefirst memory, onto a telephone line, according to the telephone numberinformation, in response to the instruction input by the input means,and display means for receiving response data output onto the telephoneline, and displaying information corresponding to the received responsedata on the display, and the server comprising: receiving means forreceiving the transfer data and the identification information outputfrom the output means through the telephone line, a database dealingwith at least one of the receiver and the operator, and means forretrieving the database according to the identification informationreceived in the second receiving means, and outputting response datacorresponding to the transfer data onto the telephone line.

The interactive television system according to the second to sixthaspects easily realizes an information exchange system for generalhousehold having the function of selection of information by the user,that is, the interactive function, which is one of the features ofmultimedia information, by effectively utilizing the existinginfrastructure without demanding large consumer cost. Herein, as theexisting infrastructure, the broadness in coverage and rapidity inreporting which are basic features of television broadcast, codingtransmission system in vertical blanking interval (VBI) of televisionbroadcast, and public telephone line are utilized effectively, and in aneconomically advantageous system configuration, the interactivetelevision system of virtual channel type, viewer participation type,response feedback type, and online service type for general household isrealized.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and, together with the general description given above andthe detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactivetelevision system of complementary information display type according toa first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of operation interlocked with the on-screenprogram in the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the constitution of parts shown inFIG. 1 in the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a multimediateletext broadcast receiving circuit 33 shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a button constitution example of televisionremote control in the first embodiment;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams showing transmission timing of control data(script and screen control information) in the first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the firstembodiment;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactivetelevision system of virtual channel type according to a secondembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing operation not interlocked with theon-screen program in the second embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactivetelevision system of viewer participation type according to a thirdembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing operation interlocked with the on-screenprogram in the third embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the constitution of parts shown inFIG. 29 in the third embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactivetelevision system of response feedback type according to a fourthembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing operation interlocked with the on-screenprogram in the fourth embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactivetelevision system of online service type according to a fifth embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing operation interlocked or not interlockedwith the on-screen program in the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a multimediateletext broadcast receiving circuit 33 in the fifth embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the secondembodiment;

FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example of screen display in the fourthembodiment;

FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a constitution of an interactivetelevision system of online service type according to a sixth embodimentof the invention; and

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing operation independent of broadcast in thesixth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, first to sixth embodiments of theinvention are described in detail below.

First, a first embodiment of the invention is described by reference toFIGS. 1 to 22.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining theoutline of the first embodiment.

The invention is an interactive television system of complementaryinformation display type realizing an interaction function between atelevision and a viewer. From a transmission antenna 2 of a broadcastingstation 1, control data including script and screen control informationfor presenting subsidiary image information relating to main broadcastis transmitted in a vertical blanking interval (VBI) of mainbroadcasting program.

Herein, the entire bit stream for display of additional informationtransmitted in the teletext multiplex transmission period in VBI iscalled merely "script" except for partial control information, andtherefore the script include the header, form, resource, and program(script main body). The same definition of the term script is applied toother embodiments described later.

A household interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives thetelevision wave transmitted from the broadcasting station 1, and acceptsprogram presentation of desired channel by button operation of a remotecontroller (television remote controller) 308.

At this time, the interactive television receiver (TV) 3, when receivingthe broadcasting program by teletext (coded transmission type teletext),receives and buffers the teletext signal in the teletext receivingcircuit.

When a teletext program is selected by button operation of thetelevision remote controller 308, the teletext program according to theselection instruction is decoded by teletext decoder, and is displayedin a specified display format.

In this invention, by the reception script by the received teletextsignal, the existing teletext program is further developed, and it isintended to present various specific additional information widelylinking with the on-screen program timely, on the basis of the receptionscript for display of additional information, according to theinstruction of the viewer.

For example, referring to a sports program as additional informationthat can be displayed by the reception script, as the additionalinformation for a golf live program, the rank, individual score, courselayout and others relating to the live program (on-screen program) areprepared, and as the viewer manipulates the television remote controller308 to request to display selected screen of additional information, thedesired additional information can be selected on the additionalinformation selection screen according to the request, so that theselected rank, individual score, or course layout relating to theon-screen program is presented to the viewer.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing outline of processing procedure of theportion relating to the invention, in this interactive television systemof complementary information display type.

In FIG. 2, step S1 shows transmission process of television wave forteletext (coded transmission type teletext), and herein showing theprocess of transmission of script (herein, the script is meant toinclude the header, form and resource, as well as the script main body(program) describing the process procedure) for presenting plural typesof additional information relating to the main broadcast in the verticalblanking interval (VBI) included in the video signal of the mainbroadcast.

Step S2 shows the process of receiving the television wave in theinteractive television receiver (TV) 3, and storing (buffering) thereception script.

Step S3 shows the process of sending out a display output request signalof additional information by manipulating the television remotecontroller 308.

Step S4 shows the process of executing the script according to thedisplay output request of additional information from the viewer,creating additional information selection screen for selecting desiredadditional information from plural types of additional information, anddisplaying in part of the display screen.

Step S5 shows the process of manipulation of the television remotecontroller 308 by the viewer for sending out the additional informationselection instruction signal.

Step S6 shows the process of displaying the screen of the selected andinstructed additional information according to the additionalinformation selection instruction from the viewer.

By this interactive function using the television as the medium, forexample, linking with various onscreen programs such as live sports andnews, versatile and specific additional information can be presentedtimely. For example, in a live golf program, as the additionalinformation for a golf live program, the rank, individual score, courselayout and others relating to the live program (on-screen program) areprepared, and as the viewer manipulates the television remote controller308 to request to display selected screen of additional information, thedesired additional information can be selected on the additionalinformation selection screen according to the request, so that theselected rank, individual score, or course layout relating to theon-screen program is presented to the viewer.

Alternatively, as additional information, for example, in a children'seducational program, simple selectors may be provided, the scriptshowing the screen of right answer to a quiz by selection of viewer isprepared and transmitted from the transmission antenna 2 of thebroadcasting station 1, and in the children's educational program,according to the selection manipulation of selectors by the televisionremote controller operation by the viewer, the answer is judgedaccording to the received right answer information, and the result ofjudgment may be displayed on the screen.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the constitution of parts in theinteractive television system of complementary information display typein the embodiment of the invention, and same parts as in FIG. 1 areidentified with same reference numerals and their explanations areomitted.

Reference numerals 11 to 21 show constituent elements in thebroadcasting station 1. A television camera 11 is installed in thestudio for producing a program. A video tape recorder 12 records thepicture and sound for program production in a video tape, andreproduces. A control room 13 is used for various adjustments forprogram production. A CG rendering 14 is for computer graphic processingfor program production.

An interactive teletext manufacturing apparatus 15 creates script datafor presenting plural types of additional information relating to mainbroadcast in the VBI included in the video signal of main broadcast(on-screen program). This script includes an individual program ID forevery bidirectional program (type of additional information).

A teletext manufacturing apparatus 16 creates transmission data forexisting teletext, for example, weather forecast and stock marketquotation.

An interface 17 is an application server for transferring the scriptcreated in the interactive teletext manufacturing apparatus 15 to thetransmission apparatus of the television wave, and reference numeral 18is for connection control with an external line. A sending controlapparatus 19 is responsible for control of teletext (VBI datatransmission) including the script relating to the invention. Amultiplexing apparatus 20 superposes teletext (VBI data) on the mainbroadcast (on-screen program). A transmitter 21 sends out themultiplexed television wave (television wave for teletext) from thetransmission antenna 2.

Reference numerals 31 to 34 show constituent elements of the interactivetelevision receiver (TV) 3. A teletext receiver 31 receives teletexttransmitted from the transmission antenna 2. A display unit (cathode-raytube: CRT) 32 selectively displays the ordinary teletext obtained in amultimedia teletext receiver 33 or interactive teletext of theinvention, in addition to the main broadcast (on-screen program)obtained in the teletext receiver 31.

The multimedia teletext receiver 33 discriminates and takes in theteletext data (VBI data) from the received broadcast wave, andclassifies into the data of ordinary teletext, and data of interactiveteletext (herein data of plural types of additional information relatingto the main broadcast), and generates display data of ordinary teletextand display data of plural types of additional information relating tothe main broadcast. Herein, however, the display control function ofordinary teletext is omitted, and only the display control function ofplural types of additional information relating to the main broadcast(interactive teletext decoder) is described. In the interactive teletextdecoder of the multimedia teletext receiver 33, the reception script isinterpreted and executed, and display information is supplied into thevideo processing circuit of the teletext receiver 31, and theinformation to be sent out to the line is supplied into a modem 34, andthe detail is described later by referring to FIG. 4.

The modem 34 is used for connecting the multimedia teletext receiver 33to the public telephone line, and hence, through the modem 34, the datahandled in the multimedia teletext receiver 33 can be transmitted bydialing automatically to the line connection destination (for example,server) given from the interactive teletext decoder of the receiver 33(built in the reception script). That is, by specific key inputoperation of the television remote controller 308, the informationregistered in the registration setting unit [PS] of ROM device controland individual identification information mentioned later may beautomatically dialed, through the modem 34, to the line connectiondestination (for example, server 4) given from the interactive teletextdecoder (built in the reception script) as the transmission source.

Reference numerals 41 to 46 show constituent elements of the server 4. Acommunication control processor (CCP) facility 41 (41-1, 41-2, 41-3, . .. , 41-m) possesses the multimedia teletext receiver 33. Dealing withthe interactive television receivers (TV) 3 at multiple homes, data istransmitted and received with the multimedia teletext receiver 33 ineach TV 3.

Plural response server facilities 42 (42-1, . . . , 42-n) are providedunder the control of a center server facility 43 mentioned later, andtransmission and reception information is distributed and processed withmultiple TV receivers 3. The response server facility 42 is connected tolocal database (L-DB) 42A accumulating the individual information ofspecific area for subscriber control.

The center server facility 43 accumulates and processes the disperseprocessing results of the response server facilities. The center severfacility 43 is connected to the master database (M-DB) 43A accumulatingthe individual information in the whole area for subscriber control.

A broadcast server facility 44 receives process instructions to responsefrom the interactive TV 3 preliminarily from the broadcasting station 1,or sends back the response result of the interactive TV 3 to thebroadcasting station 1 in a format requested by the broadcastingstation. 1.

An IP/SP (information provider/service provider) server facility 45receives process instructions to the response from the interactive TV 3preliminarily from network service 5, or sends back the response resultof the interactive TV 3 to the network service 5 in a format requestedby the network service 5.

An operation management facility 45 manages the operation of the serversystem comprising the above facilities.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an internal structure ofthe multimedia teletext receiver 33.

In FIG. 4, a CPU (central processing unit) 301 is responsible forcontrol of the multimedia teletext receiver 33. In this embodiment, theCPU 301 processes the script for presenting plural types of additionalinformation relating to the main broadcast, and as this CPU 301 executesthe process of the script process module [SCR] in the ROM 302 mentionedlater, an interactive teletext decoder is realized. Herein, thereception script distinguished from the video signal is buffered(stored) in the RAM 305, and is interpreted and executed, and displaydata (RGB signal) is generated.

A control memory (read-only memory: ROM) 302 stores the basic controlprogram executed by the CPU 301 and fixed information, and it isaccessed by the CPU 301 to be read. Herein, the script process module[SCR] for executing script process, teletext process module [CBP] forexecuting teletext, and others are stored, and there are alsoregistration setting unit [PS] of machine control and individualidentification information in which machine individual ID designated ineach receiver and individual ID are registered, kanji and charactercontrol unit [CHA] in which kanji and characters are stored andcontrolled, and icon control unit [ICON], among others.

A data separation processing circuit (waveform equalizing dataseparating circuit) 303 discriminates teletext data and interactiveteletext data (that is, script for display of additional information)from the video signal received in the teletext receiver 33. Thediscriminated reception teletext data and reception script are stored ina RAM 305 under the control of the CPU 301.

A display memory (VRAM: video random access memory) 304 is a memory forstoring display data, in which, for example, display data processed by apicture process program [PICM] is stored.

The memory (RAM) 305 is used as work memory of the CPU 301, and hereinthe data communication control program [DCOM], picture process program[PICM], user interface program [USIF], script buffer [SCB], and teletextdata buffer are provided.

A station selection microprocessor (MP) 307 receives a signal from thetelevision remote controller 308, separates into television manipulationcommand, and selection control command for display of additionalinformation, sends out the television manipulation command such aschannel designation to the television receiver, and stores the selectioncontrol command for display of additional information temporarily in thebuffer register for remote control reception, and sends to the CPU 301in bit parallel.

The television remote controller 308 remote controls the interactivetelevision receiver 3. Herein, as shown in FIG. 5, there are modeselection key (i key) for changing the interactive mode between validand invalid, direction command keys (up key, down key, left key, rightkey) for selecting a desired selector from plural selectors provided onthe additional information selection screen, and determination (firm)key.

The mode selection key (i key) is a toggle switch for changing over theinteractive mode valid and invalid alternately, and when the interactivemode is valid, as shown in FIG. 7, an "i" mark appears in the upper leftcorner of the display (CRT) 32.

The station selection MP 307 is usable only when the interactive mode isvalid (that is, when the "i" mark is shown), and some of the keys (forexample, numeric keys) are reflected only in the displayed additionalinformation.

Incidentally, valid/invalid setting of the interactive mode is selectedby force also at a certain timing according to the command built in thescript in a specified additional information display, aside frommanipulation of the television remote controller 308.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are transmission timing diagrams of control dataincluding the script and screen control information, and herein, inaddition to the horizontal scanning period (existing teletext signal) inthe VBI for transmitting ordinary teletext data, the control data istransmitted by utilizing the horizontal scanning period in the VBIindicated by 6A and 6B. FIG. 6A shows even fields, and FIG. 6B shows oddfields.

FIGS. 7 to 22 show examples of screen transition state in the firstembodiment. Specifically, FIGS. 7 to 15 show screen changes of a livegolf game as an example of sports program. FIGS. 16 to 22 show screenchanges in a quiz program. In the quiz program, the processing devicefor executing the script, that is, the CPU 301 judges the reply enteredfrom the television remote controller 301 on the basis of the rightanswer information built in the script (for example, yes/no, selectornumber, quiz answer by symbol input), and displays the information ofthe result of judgment on the display screen at the display timingconforming to the screen control information received together with thescript.

Examples of operation in this embodiment of the invention are describedbelow.

From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, thetelevision wave for teletext (coded transmission type teletext)including control data in VBI (script and image control information) istransmitted in the transmission format shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B (step S1in FIG. 2).

Herein, the script for presenting plural types of additional informationrelating to the main broadcast in the vertical blanking interval (VBI)included in the video signal of the main broadcast (including the scriptmain body (program) describing the processing procedure, header, form,and resource) is transmitted. For example, in this explanation, a livegolf game is transmitted together with plural types of additionalinformation.

The interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television wave(broadcast wave) of the live golf game, and the reception scriptincluded in the broadcast is stored (buffered). That is, the multimediateletext receiver 33 provided in the interactive television receiver(TV) 3 discriminates and takes in the VBI data from the receivedbroadcast wave, and separates into the data of ordinary teletext programand data of interactive teletext program (herein, the data of pluraltypes of additional information relating to main broadcast), andgenerates display data of ordinary teletext program and display data ofplural types of additional information relating to the main broadcast,and stores (buffers) them in the RAM 305 (step S2 in FIG. 2).

Herein, when the viewer manipulates the mode selection key (i key) ofthe television remote controller 308 and makes the interactive modevalid, the "i" mark appears in the upper left corner of the display unit(CRT) 32, telling that the interactive mode is valid (step S3 in FIG.2).

Furthermore, along with the manipulation of the mode selection key (ikey), by the execution of the script process by the interactive teletextdecoder realized by execution of the process of script process module[SCR] in the ROM 302 by the CPU 301, for example, an additionalinformation selection screen as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed (step S4 inFIG. 2).

On this additional information selection screen, as the viewermanipulates the direction command key (herein up key or down key) of thetelevision remote controller 308, the selected and designated selectoris emphasized in display (for example, displayed in a special colorframe), and the specified selector is clarified (in FIG. 8, the "rank"is emphasized by the specific color frame). At this time, when thedecision (firm) key of the television remote controller 308 ismanipulated, the script process is executed again, and the selected anddesignated additional information screen is displayed. For example, whenthe decision (firm) key is pressed while the rank is emphasized inspecial color frame, the additional information screen of rank isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 9 (steps S5 and S6 in FIG. 2).

Or, when the decision (firm) key is manipulated when the course isemphasized in special color frame on the additional informationselection screen shown in FIG. 8, the additional information screen ofcourse guide is displayed as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and further whena direction command key (down key) is manipulated, as shown in FIG. 12,the additional information screen of course layout is displayed. Whenthe decision (firm) key is manipulated while the score is emphasized inspecial color frame on the additional information selection screen shownin FIG. 8, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the additional informationscreen of score is displayed. Moreover, when an arbitrary player isselected on the screen display shown in FIG. 14 (in the firstembodiment, the fourth player from the left, the rank enclosed by doublesquare), further specific information is displayed as shown in FIG. 15.

Similarly, in a quiz program, the additional information of the quizprogram is displayed in the screen transition as shown in FIGS. 16 to22. Herein, the right answer information is preliminarily built in thereception script, and according to the selection operation of selectorby manipulation of the television remote controller 308 by viewer, it isjudged if the reply is correct or not by the CPU 301 on the basis of thereceived right answer information, and the result of judgment isdisplayed on the screen.

By such interactive function using the television as the medium,versatile and specific additional information can be presented timely,by linking with the on-screen program such as live sports game, news andquiz.

If desired to save additional information, while displaying theadditional information screen desired to be saved, by pressing thememory key of the television remote controller 308, the data of thedesired additional information screen is stored in the save region ofthe display memory (VRAM) 304, and it can be freely displayed again by aspecific key operation (for example, simultaneous pressing of i key andmemory key).

Moreover, the image data stored in the save region of the display memory(VRAM) 304 can be transferred into an external device, such as magneticdisk drive or printer, through an external device connection port (notshown).

By specific key input manipulation of the television remote controller308, the information registered in the registration setting unit [PS] ofmachine control and individual identification information of the ROM 302can be transmitted through the modem 34 by automatically dialing to theline connection destination (for example, server 4) given from theinteractive teletext decoder (built in the reception script).

Thus, the first embodiment presents an interactive television system ofcomplementary information display type that is easily realized withoutdemanding large extra cost to the broadcasting station and users, bymaking effective use of the existing infrastructure for selection ofinformation by the user, that is, the interactive function, which is oneof the features of multimedia information.

That is, as the existing infrastructure, the broadness in coverage andrapidity in reporting which are basic features of television broadcast,coding transmission system in vertical blanking interval (VBI) oftelevision broadcast, and public telephone line are utilizedeffectively, and in an economically advantageous system, still more, theinteractive television system of complementary information display typecapable of presenting specific information timely by linking with theprogram is presented.

A second embodiment of the invention is described below.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining theoutline of the second embodiment.

The second embodiment is an interactive television system of virtualchannel type enabling to exchange information independently of the mainbroadcast, in which from the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcastingstation 1, script (and screen control information) for presenting anindependent subsidiary image information not relating with the mainbroadcast is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of themain broadcasting program. In FIG. 23, same reference numerals are givento same constituent elements as in FIG. 1, and detailed description ofthe constituent elements is omitted. The definition of the script issame as in the first embodiment.

As the feature of the second embodiment, the broadcasting station 1incorporates a transmitter for transmitting the script for presentingplural types of additional information independent of the main broadcastin the vertical blanking interval included in the video signal, and thetelevision receiver 3 comprises a script execution processing unit, anda sending unit for sending out the transfer data conforming to theadditional information to the receiver, or to the transfer destinationconforming to the transfer destination information built in the scripttogether with the individual identification information to theindividual viewer, and hence the information of virtual channelindependent of the main broadcast can be presented to the viewer.

At this time, the additional information that can be displayed by thereception script includes, for example, presentation of programselection menu of teletext, merchandise transaction including catalogrequest and purchase of merchandise, and various subscriptionprocedures.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of processing procedure in theinteractive television system of virtual channel type mentioned above.

In FIG. 24, step S11 shows transmission process of television wave forteletext (coded transmission type teletext) in the broadcasting station1, and herein showing the process of transmission of script (herein, thescript is meant to include the header, form and resource, as well as thescript main body (program) describing the process procedure) forpresenting plural types of additional information not relating to themain broadcast in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in thevideo signal of the main broadcast.

Step S12 shows the process of receiving the television wave in theinteractive television receiver (TV) 3, and storing (buffering) thereception script.

Step S13 shows the process of sending out a display output requestsignal of additional information by manipulating the television remotecontroller 308.

Step S14 shows the process of executing the script according to thedisplay output request of additional information from the viewer,creating additional information selection screen for selecting desiredadditional information from plural types of additional information, anddisplaying in part of the display screen.

Step S15 shows the process of manipulation of the television remotecontroller 308 by the viewer for sending out the additional informationselection instruction signal.

Step S16 shows the process of displaying the detailed screen of theselected and instructed additional information according to theadditional information selection instruction from the viewer.

Step S17 shows the process of displaying the screen for confirming theadditional information finally selected and instructed, confirming it,and transmitting the information to the server 4.

Step S18 shows the process of sending the information of the interactivetelevision receiver (TV) 3 to the server 4.

By this interactive function using the television as the medium, forexample, various information can be exchanged, for example, presentationof program selection menu of teletext, merchandise transaction includingcatalog request and purchase of merchandise, and various subscriptionprocedures.

The constitution of the parts in the interactive television system ofvirtual channel type in the second embodiment is same as in the firstembodiment, and detailed description is omitted (see FIG. 3).

The internal structure of the multimedia teletext receiver 33 in thesecond embodiment is also same as in the first embodiment, and detaileddescription is omitted (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The transmission timing of control data (script and screen controlinformation) in the second embodiment is also same as in the firstembodiment, and detailed description is omitted (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

Herein, an example of operation of the second embodiment is described.

From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, in thetransmission format as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the script and thetelevision wave for teletext (coded transmission type teletext)incorporating transfer destination information (for example, telephonenumber) in the script are transmitted in the VBI (step S11 in FIG. 24).

Herein, in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in the videosignal of main broadcast, the script for presenting plural types ofadditional information independent of the main broadcast (including thescript main body (program) describing the processing procedure, header,form, and resource), and the telephone number incorporated in the scriptare transmitted.

The interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television wave(broadcast wave) carrying shopping information by the virtual channel,and stores (buffers) the reception script included in the broadcastwave. That is, the multimedia teletext receiver 33 provided in theinteractive television receiver (TV) 3 discriminates and takes in theVBI data from the received broadcast wave, and separates into the dataof ordinary teletext program and data of interactive teletext program(herein, the data of plural types of additional information independentof main broadcast), and generates display data of ordinary teletextprogram and display data of plural types of additional informationindependent of the main broadcast, and stores (buffers) them in the RAM305 (step S12 in FIG. 24).

Herein, when the viewer manipulates the mode selection key (i key) ofthe television remote controller 308 and makes the interactive modevalid, the "i" mark appears in the upper left corner of the display unit(CRT) 32, telling that the interactive mode is valid (step S13 in FIG.24).

Furthermore, along with the manipulation of the mode selection key (ikey), by the execution of the script process by the interactive teletextdecoder realized by execution of the process of script process module[SCR] in the ROM 302 by the CPU 301, for example, an additionalinformation selection screen is displayed (step S14 in FIG. 24).

On this additional information selection screen, as the viewermanipulates the direction command key (herein left key or right key) ofthe television remote controller 308, the selected and designatedselector is emphasized in display (for example, displayed byflickering), and the specified selector is clarified. At this time, whenthe decision (firm) key is manipulated while the selector for shoppingis emphasized (by flickering), the screen for introduction and selectionof plural types of additional information is displayed (steps S15, S16in FIG. 24).

Furthermore, on this screen for introduction and selection of pluraltypes of additional information, when a certain additional informationis selected and specified, a screen appears to display the detail ofselected additional information, and when "revise" is selected on thisscreen, it returns to the aforementioned screen.

On the screen for confirmation of detail of selected additionalinformation, when "confirm" (order) is selected, the selectioninformation is automatically transmitted to the server 4 through themodem 34 and telephone line (steps S17, S18 in FIG. 24). As a result,the server 4 confirms that the viewer has ordered the desired additionalinformation through the interactive TV receiver 3, and the correspondingprocessing is executed.

The plural types of additional information includes shoppinginformation, for example, ranges widely including jewelry, food,clothes, real estate, and others, and in the interactive system offeringtransaction services in plural types, it is also possible to transmitautomatically by using different telephone numbers by the trade andtrader. In this case, plural telephone numbers set individually by tradeand trader are incorporated in the transmission script, and when thetransaction is formed at the interactive TV receiver side 3, thetelephone number corresponding to the trade and trader corresponding tothe transaction is sent out to the modem 34, so that transaction serviceusing plural telephone lines can be realized.

By specific key input manipulation of the television remote controller308, the information registered in the registration setting unit [PS] ofmachine control and individual identification information of the ROM 302can be transmitted through the modem 34 by automatically dialing to theline connection destination (for example, server 4) given from themultimedia teletext receiver 33 (built in the reception script).

Thus, the second embodiment constructs an interactive television systemof virtual channel type for general household in an economicallyadvantageous system configuration, by effectively utilizing thebroadness in coverage and rapidity in reporting which are basic featuresof television broadcast, coding transmission system in vertical blankinginterval (VBI) of television broadcast, and public telephone line as theexisting infrastructure.

A third embodiment of the invention is described below.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining theoutline of the third embodiment.

The third embodiment is an interactive television system of a type ofbroadcasting programs participated by viewer of televisions, forenabling to exchange information about main broadcast, in which from thetransmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, script (and screencontrol information) for presenting a subsidiary image information forparticipation of viewers relating with the main broadcast is transmittedin the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the main broadcastingprogram. In FIG. 25, same reference numerals are given to sameconstituent elements as in FIG. 1, and detailed description of theconstituent elements is omitted. The definition of the script is same asin the first embodiment.

In the third embodiment, by the reception script by the receivedteletext signal, the existing teletext program is further developed, andinformation can be exchanged by presenting various types of additionalinformation, such as quiz program participated by viewers of thetelevisions relating to the on-screen program, interviews and others, onthe basis of the reception script for displaying additional information.

That is, in the third embodiment, it is intended to connect theinteractive TV receiver 3 to telephone reception service 4 havingaccumulate processing function automatically through a telephone line,so that the content of the main broadcast (on-screen program) such asquiz and interview can be automatically transmitted by simplemanipulation such as television remote controller, allowing many viewersto participate in the program.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of processing procedure in theinteractive television system of the above type of broadcasting programsparticipated by viewers of the televisions.

In FIG. 26, step S21 shows transmission process of television wave forteletext (coded transmission type teletext) in the broadcasting station1, and herein showing the process of transmission of script (herein, thescript is meant to include the header, form and resource, as well as thescript main body (program) describing the process procedure) for viewerresponse procedure of, for example, quiz or interview, relating to themain broadcast in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in thevideo signal of the main broadcast.

Step S22 shows the process of receiving the television wave in theinteractive television receiver (TV) 3, and storing (buffering) thereception script.

Step S23 shows the process of sending out a request signal for allowingthe viewers to participate in the program such as quiz or interview, bymanipulating the television remote controller 308 by the viewer.

Step S24 shows the process of executing the script according to theparticipation request from the viewer, creating a request input screenaccording to the additional information, and displaying in part of thedisplay screen.

Step S25 shows the process of manipulation of the television remotecontroller 308 by the viewer for inputting the response information.

Step S26 shows the process of displaying the confirmation screenaccording to the response content from the viewer.

Step S27 shows the process of transmitting the response content of theviewer to the telephone reception service 4.

Step S28 shows the process of accumulating the response contents fromthe viewers.

Step S29 shows the process of sending back the accumulation result tothe broadcasting station 1.

By this interactive function using the television as the medium, forexample, response contents to the main broadcast (on-screen program)such as quiz and interview can be automatically transmitted by simplemanipulation of the television remote controller, so that the viewer canparticipate in the main broadcasting program easily.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing the constitution of the parts in theinteractive television system of a type of broadcasting programsparticipated by viewers of the televisions according to this embodiment,and same parts as in FIG. 25 are identified with same referencenumerals, and their explanation is omitted.

Herein, the modem 34 is used for connecting the multimedia teletextreceiver 33 to the public telephone line, and through this modem 34, thedata handled in the multimedia teletext receiver 33 can be transmittedby automatically dialing to the line connection destination given by theinteractive teletext decoder of the receiver 33 (built in the receptionscript), for example, to the telephone reception service 4 having theaccumulate processing function. That is, by specific key input operationof the television remote controller 308, the information registered inthe registration setting unit [PS] of machine control and individualidentification information of the ROM mentioned below can be transmittedthrough the modem 34 by automatically dialing to the line connectiondestination or the telephone reception service 4 given from theinteractive teletext decoder (built in the reception script).

The internal structure of the multimedia teletext receiver 33 in thisthird embodiment is also similar to that in the first embodiment, anddetailed description is omitted (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The transmission timing of the control data in the third embodiment(script and screen control information) is also same as in the firstembodiment, and detailed description is omitted (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

An example of operation of the third embodiment is described below.

From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, in thetransmission format as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the script and thetelevision wave for teletext (coded transmission type teletext)incorporating transfer destination information (for example, telephonenumber) in the script are transmitted in the VBI (step S21 in FIG. 26).

Herein, in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in the videosignal of main broadcast, the script for presenting plural types ofadditional information independent of the main broadcast (including thescript main body (program) describing the processing procedure, header,form, and resource), and the telephone number incorporated in the scriptare transmitted.

In this example, a quiz program participated by viewers is transmitted.

The interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television wave(broadcast wave) carrying the quiz program participated by viewers ofthe televisions, and stores (buffers) the reception script included inthe broadcast wave. That is, the multimedia teletext receiver 33provided in the interactive television receiver (TV) 3 discriminates andtakes in the VBI data from the received broadcast wave, and separatesinto the data of ordinary teletext program and data of interactiveteletext program (herein, the data of plural types of additionalinformation independent of main broadcast), and generates display dataof ordinary teletext program and display data of plural types ofadditional information independent of the main broadcast, and stores(buffers) them in the RAM 305 (step S22 in FIG. 26).

Herein, when the viewer manipulates the mode selection key (i key) ofthe television remote controller 308 and makes the interactive modevalid, the "i" mark appears in the upper left corner of the display unit(CRT) 32, telling that the interactive mode is valid (step S23 in FIG.26).

Furthermore, along with the manipulation of the mode selection key (ikey), by the execution of the script process by the interactive teletextdecoder realized by execution of the process of script process module[SCR] in the ROM 302 by the CPU 301, for example, a response inputscreen having plural selectors by participation of viewers in the quizof the on-screen program is displayed (step S24 in FIG. 26).

On this response input screen, as the viewer manipulates the directioncommand key of the television remote controller 308, the selected anddesignated selector is emphasized in display (for example, displayed byflickering), and the specified selector is clarified (steps S25, S26 inFIG. 26).

Furthermore, on this response input screen, when the "decision" key ismanipulated, the response content of the viewer is transmitted to thetelephone reception service 4 (step S27 in FIG. 26).

The process of transmitting to the telephone reception service 4 istransmitted by automatic dialing using the telephone number contained inthe script, and at this time there are means for transmitting theresponse information automatically by using a common telephone numberand means for transmitting automatically by varying the telephone numberfor every content of response (selector). In the means for transmittingautomatically by varying the telephone number for every content ofresponse (selector), an individual telephone number is assigned forevery response of each selector and preliminarily contained in thescript, and when the CPU 301 of the interactive TV receiver 3 transmitsto the telephone reception service 4, the telephone reception service 4is called by the individual telephone number for the response content(selector).

The telephone reception service 4 receives the response information frommultiple interactive TV receivers 3 in the telephone line by the commontelephone number or in the telephone line by the individual telephonenumber in every response content (selector), and transmits theaccumulated information to the broadcasting station 1 (or networkservice 5) (steps S28, S29 in FIG. 26).

In this way, by the interactive function through the medium oftelevision, the response content to, for example, the main broadcast(on-screen program) such as quiz or interview, can be transmittedautomatically by simple operation of the television remote controller,and the viewer can easily participate in the main broadcasting program.

Thus, the third embodiment constructs an interactive television systemof a type of broadcasting programs participated by viewers of thetelevisions for general household in an economically advantageous systemconfiguration, by effectively utilizing the broadness in coverage andrapidity in reporting which are basic features of television broadcast,coding transmission system in vertical blanking interval (VBI) oftelevision broadcast, and public telephone line as the existinginfrastructure.

A fourth embodiment of the invention is described below.

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining theoutline of the fourth embodiment.

The fourth embodiment is an interactive television system of responsefeedback type enabling to exchange information about main broadcast, inwhich from the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1,script (and screen control information) for presenting a subsidiaryimage information of response feedback type relating with the mainbroadcast is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of themain broadcasting program. In FIG. 28, same reference numerals are givento same constituent elements as in FIG. 1, and detailed description ofthe constituent elements is omitted.

In the fourth embodiment, by the reception script by the receivedteletext signal, the existing teletext program is further developed, andvarious additional information such as the quiz program of responsefeedback type about the on-screen program, interview, catalog requestguide, merchandise purchase guide, mailing guide, ticket reservationguide and others can be presented by the instruction of the viewer, onthe basis of the reception script for displaying additional information,and each information exchange is done arbitrarily and selectively onlyby the manipulation of the television remote controller.

That is, in the fourth embodiment, it is intended to connect theinteractive TV receiver 3 to the server 4 having accumulate processingfunction automatically through a telephone line, so that the content ofresponse to the main broadcast (on-screen program) such as quiz andinterview can be automatically transmitted by simple manipulation suchas television remote controller, allowing many viewers to participate inthe program easily.

Moreover, by providing the server 4 with, for example, the merchandisetransaction processing function of executing the reception process ofthe specified merchandise or specified commodity ordered by the viewer,and acquiring the address information of the ordering viewer byretrieval of subscriber database by identification information, variedtransaction procedures such as catalog request, merchandise purchase,mailing, and ticket reservation can be done easily by simplemanipulation of the television remote controller.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of processing procedure in theinteractive television system of the above response feedback type.

In FIG. 29, step S31 shows transmission process of television wave forteletext (coded transmission type teletext) in the broadcasting station1, and herein showing the process of transmission of script (herein, thescript is meant to include the header, form and resource, as well as thescript main body (program) describing the process procedure) for viewerresponse procedure of, for example, quiz or interview, relating to themain broadcast in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in thevideo signal of the main broadcast.

Step S32 shows the process of receiving the television wave in theinteractive television receiver (TV) 3, and storing (buffering) thereception script.

Step S33 shows the process of sending out a request signal forparticipating in the program such as quiz or interview by responsefeedback type, by manipulating the television remote controller 308 bythe viewer.

Step S34 shows the process of executing the script according to theparticipation request from the viewer, creating a response input screenaccording to the additional information, and displaying in part of thedisplay screen.

Step S35 shows the process of manipulation of the television remotecontroller 308 by the viewer for inputting the response information.

Step S36 shows the process of displaying the confirmation screenaccording to the response content from the viewer.

Step S37 shows the process of transmitting the response content of theviewer to the server 4.

Step S38 shows the process of sending the response content from theviewer by dialing automatically to the telephone number information ofthe line connection destination extracted from the reception script.

Step S39 shows the process of transmitting the response content from theviewer to the server 4. Herein, the identification information (IDnumber) preliminarily assigned to the receiver 3 and the responsecontent are sent to the server 4.

Steps S40 and S42 show the loop of feedback for sending back the dataprocessed in the server 4 to the broadcasting station 1 by processing inthe network service (information provider/service provider) 5, and theloop of data exchange of setting condition, processing condition,parameter condition, etc. between the broadcasting station 1 and server4 and network service (information provider/service provider) 5, andstep S41 shows the loop of feedback of the data processed in the server4 directly to the broadcasting station 1.

By this interactive information exchange function using the televisionas the medium, for example, response contents to the main broadcast(on-screen program) such as quiz and interview can be automaticallytransmitted by simple manipulation of the television remote controller,so that the viewer can participate in the main broadcasting programeasily.

Moreover, by providing the server 4 with, for example, the merchandisetransaction processing function of executing the reception process ofspecified merchandise or specified commodity ordered by the viewer, andacquiring the address information of the ordering viewer by retrieval ofsubscriber database according to the identification information, variedtransaction procedures such as catalog request, merchandise purpose,mailing, and ticket reservation can be executed easily by simplemanipulation of the television remote controller.

The constitution of the parts in the interactive television system ofresponse feedback type of the fourth embodiment is same as in the firstembodiment, and detailed explanation is omitted (see FIG. 3).

The internal structure of the multimedia teletext receiver 33 in thefourth embodiment is also similar to that in the first embodiment, anddetailed description is omitted (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

The transmission timing of the control data in the fourth embodiment(script and screen control information) is also same as in the firstembodiment, and detailed description is omitted (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

An example of operation of the fourth embodiment is described below.

From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, in thetransmission format as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the script and thetelevision wave for teletext (coded transmission type teletext)incorporating transfer destination information (for example, telephonenumber) in the script are transmitted in the VBI (step S31 in FIG. 29).

Herein, in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in the videosignal of main broadcast, the script for presenting plural types ofadditional information relating to the main broadcast (including thescript main body (program) describing the processing procedure, header,form, and resource), and the telephone number of transfer destination ofthe additional information program incorporated in the script aretransmitted.

In this example, a merchandise introduction and guide program enablingto purchase commodities and request catalog by response feedback istransmitted.

The interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television wave(broadcast wave) carrying the merchandise introduction and guide programby response feedback type, and stores (buffers) the reception scriptincluded in the broadcast wave. That is, the multimedia teletextreceiver 33 provided in the interactive television receiver (TV) 3discriminates and takes in the VBI data from the received broadcastwave, and separates into the data of ordinary teletext program and dataof interactive teletext program (herein, the data of plural types ofadditional information independent of main broadcast), and generatesdisplay data of ordinary teletext program and display data of pluraltypes of additional information independent of the main broadcast, andstores (buffers) them in the RAM 305 (step S32 in FIG. 29).

Herein, when the viewer manipulates the mode selection key (i key) ofthe television remote controller 308 and makes the interactive modevalid, the "i" mark appears in the upper left corner of the display unit(CRT) 32, telling that the interactive mode is valid (step S33 in FIG.29).

Furthermore, along with the manipulation of the mode selection key (ikey), by the execution of the script process by the interactive teletextdecoder realized by execution of the process of script process module[SCR] in the ROM 302 by the CPU 301, for example, a response inputscreen having plural selectors by response feedback to the on-screenprogram is displayed (step S34 in FIG. 29).

On this response input screen, as the viewer manipulates the directioncommand key of the television remote controller 308, the selected anddesignated selector is emphasized in display (for example, displayed byflickering), and the specified selector is clarified (steps S35, S36 inFIG. 29).

Furthermore, on this response input screen, when the "decision" key ismanipulated, the response content of the viewer is transmitted to theserver 4 (step S37 in FIG. 29).

The process of transmitting to the server 4 is transmitted by automaticdialing using the telephone number contained in the script, and at thistime there are means for transmitting the response informationautomatically by using a common telephone number and means fortransmitting automatically by varying the telephone number for everycontent of response (selector). In the means for transmittingautomatically by varying the telephone number for every content ofresponse (selector), an individual telephone number is assigned forevery response of each selector and preliminarily contained in thescript, and when the CPU 301 of the interactive TV receiver 3 transmitsto the server 4, the server 4 is called by the individual telephonenumber for the response content (selector).

The server 4 receives the response information from multiple interactiveTV receivers 3 in the telephone line by the common telephone number orin the telephone line by the individual telephone number in everyresponse content (selector) (steps S38, S39 in FIG. 29).

Further, the server 4 processes the received information by, forexample, accumulating, modifying, or updating local database (L-DB) 42A,master database (M-DB) 43A, etc., preliminarily as specified, andtransmits the data to the broadcasting station 1 or network service(information provider/service provider) 5 (steps S40, S41 in FIG. 29).

In this way, by the interactive function through the medium oftelevision, the response content to, for example, the main broadcast(on-screen program) such as quiz or interview, can be transmittedautomatically by simple operation of the television remote controller,and the viewer can easily participate in the main broadcasting program.

Moreover, by providing the server 4 with, for example, the merchandisetransaction processing function of executing the reception process ofspecified merchandise or specified commodity ordered by the viewer, andacquiring the address information of the ordering viewer by retrieval ofsubscriber database according to the identification information, variedtransaction procedures such as catalog request, merchandise purpose,mailing, and ticket reservation can be executed easily by simplemanipulation of the television remote controller.

In FIG. 28, the server 4 and information provider/service provider 5 aredifferent, but it may be also constituted, for example, to include boththe information provider/service provider 5 and server 4.

Thus, the fourth embodiment constructs an interactive television systemof response feedback type of high utility and excellent controllabilityfor general household in an economically advantageous systemconfiguration, by effectively utilizing the broadness in coverage andrapidity in reporting which are basic features of television broadcast,coding transmission system in vertical blanking interval (VBI) oftelevision broadcast, and public telephone line as the existinginfrastructure.

Especially, in the receiver 3, the identification number assigned forthe receiver or subscriber is stored, and this identification number issent to the server 4 together with the response from the viewer(operator). Therefore, in the server 4, the sender of the response datacan be identified, and the service can be presented to every vieweraccording to the identification number.

A fifth embodiment of the invention is described below.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining theoutline of the fifth embodiment.

The fifth embodiment is an interactive television system of so-calledbroadcast related online type enabling to exchange information aboutmain broadcast, and also to exchange information by utilizing teletextnot relating to the main broadcast, in which from the transmissionantenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, script (and screen controlinformation) for presenting a subsidiary image information of broadcastrelated online is transmitted in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) ofthe main broadcasting program (on-screen program). In FIG. 30, samereference numerals are given to same constituent elements as in FIG. 1,and detailed description of the constituent elements is omitted. Thedefinition of the script is same as in the first embodiment.

In the fifth embodiment, by the reception script by the receivedteletext signal, the existing teletext program is further developed, andvarious additional information for broadcast related online informationexchange (for example, educational program, catalog request guide,merchandise purchase guide, mailing guide, ticket reservation guide,local program, and other information exchange) can be presented by theinstruction of the viewer, and each information exchange is donearbitrarily and selectively only by the manipulation of the televisionremote controller.

That is, in this invention, it is intended to connect the interactive TVreceiver 3 to the server 4 through a telephone line automatically, sothat various information relating to the main broadcast or independentof the main broadcast can be exchanged by connecting the lineautomatically to the server 4 by simple manipulation of the televisionremote controller.

By constructing the information exchange mechanism by using thehousehold television receiver as the medium, for example, variousinformation exchange procedures about catalog request, merchandisepurchase, mailing, ticket reservation, and educational system withscoring function can be done easily by simple manipulation of thetelevision remote controller.

For example, by providing the server 4 with the subscriber database, thetransaction processing function can be realized by executing thereception process of the merchandise designated by the viewer, andacquiring the address information of the viewer by retrieval of thesubscriber database according to the identification information, so thatvaried transaction procedures of catalog request, merchandise purchase,mailing, ticket reservation and others can be done easily by simplemanipulation of the television remote controller.

Also by providing the server 4 with the mail exchange and storingmechanism, mails can be exchanged between interactive TV receivers 3.

Moreover, by utilizing the mail exchange function by the interactive TVreceiver 3 and server 4, not requiring dial operation or sound (voice)response at all, helper system or emergency report system for generalhousehold can be easily constructed.

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example of processing procedure in theinteractive television system of the above broadcast related onlinetype.

In FIG. 31, step S51 shows transmission process of television wave forteletext (coded transmission type teletext) in the broadcasting station1, and herein showing the process of transmission of script fordisplaying an off-screen program in the vertical blanking interval (VBI)included in the video signal of the main broadcast.

Step S52 shows the process of receiving the television wave in theinteractive television receiver (TV) 3, and storing (buffering) thereception script.

Step S53 shows the process of requesting information exchange byadditional information, by manipulating the television remote controller308 by the viewer.

Step S54 shows the process of executing the script according to therequest from the viewer, creating a menu screen for selection ofinformation exchange according to additional information, and displayingin part of the display screen.

Step S55 shows the process of manipulation of the television remotecontroller 308 by the viewer for selecting the information exchangeservice to receive information presentation from the menu screen (forexample, educational program, catalog request guide, merchandisepurchase guide, mailing guide, ticket reservation guide, local programpresentation) by, for example, designation operation of a selector.

Step S56 shows the process of line connection of the request ofinformation exchange service according to the selection data from theviewer to the server 4.

Step S57 shows the process of transmitting the selection data from theviewer by automatically dialing to the server 4 according to thetelephone number information of the line connection destinationextracted from the reception script.

Step S58 shows the process of presenting (transmitting) the data ofinformation exchange service according to the request from the viewer tothe demanding interactive TV receiver 3.

Steps S59 and S60 show the process of utilizing the information exchangeservice received from the server 4.

Steps S61 and S62 show the process of transmitting the viewer's messageto the server 4 during or after use of the information exchange service.

Step S63 shows the process of transmitting the data processed in theresponse server 4 to the network service (information provider/serviceprovider) 5.

By this interactive information exchange function using the televisionas the medium, the viewer can receive, by simple button operation of thetelevision remote controller 308, desired information exchange service(for example, educational program, catalog request guide, merchandisepurchase guide, mailing guide, ticket reservation guide, local programpresentation).

Specifically, by providing the server 4 with, for example, a transactionprocessing function of executing the reception process of commoditydesignated by the viewer, and acquiring the address information of theordering viewer by retrieval of subscriber database (local database(L-DB) 42A and master database (M-DB) 43A) according to theidentification information, varied transaction procedures such ascatalog request, merchandise purpose, mailing, and ticket reservationcan be executed easily by simple manipulation of the television remotecontroller.

Also by providing the server 4 with the mail exchange and storingmechanism, mails can be exchanged between interactive TV receivers 3.

Moreover, by utilizing the mail exchange function by the interactive TVreceiver 3 and server 4, not requiring dial operation or sound (voice)response at all, helper system or emergency report system for generalhousehold can be easily constructed.

The constitution of the parts in the interactive television system ofbroadcast related online type of the fifth embodiment is same as in thefirst embodiment, and detailed explanation is omitted.

FIG. 32 is a functional block diagram showing an internal structure ofmultimedia teletext receiver 33 in the fifth embodiment. Theconstitution of the multimedia teletext receiver 33 shown in FIG. 32 isbasically same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4, andtherefore same reference numerals as in FIG. 4 are provided, anddetailed description is omitted. The constituent elements relating tothe operation of the fifth embodiment are described specifically below.

The memory 302, same as in the first embodiment, is a control memoryhaving a partial reloadable region which is read and accessed by the CPU301, and stores the basic control program executed by the CPU 301 andfixed information. Herein, the script process module [SCR] for executingscript process, teletext process module [CBP] for executing teletext,and others are stored, and there are also registration setting unit [PS]of machine control and individual identification information in whichmachine individual ID designated in each receiver and individual ID areregistered, kanji and character control unit [CHA] in which kanji andcharacters are stored and controlled, and icon control unit [ICON],among others.

By setting the registration setting unit [PS] of machine control andindividual identification information in the reloadable region, inaddition to the identification information of machine ID and individualID, as additional information of individual ID, the family membership,address, name, postal code, birthday, private telephone number,facsimile number, registered mail box number, transfer destinationtelephone number (or plural numbers), credit card number, driver'spermit number, insurance number, citizen code, and various additionalinformation can be provided by controlling the termination. Thisregistration setting unit [PS] of machine control and individualidentification information is provided as a backup of the communicationcontrol block [CCB] in the RAM 305 mentioned later, and when thecommunication control block [CCB] in the RAM 305 is updated, the CPU 301also updates the content in the corresponding registration setting unit[PS] of machine control and individual identification informationaccording to the updating.

The RAM 305 is used in the work memory or the like of the CPU 301, andherein data communication control program [DCOM], picture processingprogram [PICM], user interface program [USIF], script buffer [SCB], andteletext data buffer are provided among others.

In the nonvolatile memory region supported by battery in the RAM 305,the communication control block [CCB] is provided, and in thiscommunication control block [CCB], individual information stored in theROM (or set by the viewer through the television remote controller 308),including the telephone number information (TEL-A), transfer destinationtelephone numbers (TEL-B1, TEL-B2), machine ID (M-ID), and individual ID(P-ID), is set. Moreover, as the additional information of theindividual ID (P-ID), family membership (α1), address, name, postalcode, birthday (α2), facsimile number (α3), registered mail box number(α4), credit card number (α5), insurance number (α6), citizen code (α7),and others can be set.

The communication control block [CCB] can be set or changed only aftereach information satisfies the specified condition such as input ofcompound password. The content of the communication control block [CCB]is stored as backup in the registration setting unit [PS] of machinecontrol and individual identification information.

The CPU 301 reads and accesses this communication control block [CCB] inevery line connection, and cuts out the information necessary for everytransfer from the [CCB] data block, and sends the acquired informationto the server 4 at the transfer destination, together with the responsedata to the transfer destination entered by manipulation of thetelevision remote controller by the viewer.

The transmission timing of the control data in the fifth embodiment(script and screen control information) is also same as in the firstembodiment, and detailed description is omitted (see FIGS. 6A and 6B).

FIGS. 33 to 38 show screen transition examples in the fifth embodiment,illustrating an example of shopping by broadcast related online type.

An example of operation of the fifth embodiment is described below.

From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, in thetransmission format as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the script and thetelevision wave for teletext (coded transmission type teletext)incorporating transfer destination information (for example, telephonenumber) in the script are transmitted in the VBI (step S51 in FIG. 31).

Herein, in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) included in the videosignal of main broadcast, the script (including the script main body(program) describing the processing procedure, header, form, andresource) for presenting plural types of additional informationcorresponding to plural types of information exchange service, and thetelephone number of transfer destination of the additional informationprogram incorporated in the script are transmitted.

In this example, the shopping information is transmitted together withthe transaction partner telephone number.

The interactive television receiver (TV) 3 receives the television wave(broadcast wave) carrying the broadcast related online program, andstores (buffers) the reception script included in the broadcast wave.That is, the multimedia teletext receiver 33 provided in the interactivetelevision receiver (TV) 3 discriminates and takes in the VBI data fromthe received broadcast wave, and separates into the data of ordinaryteletext program and data of interactive teletext program (herein, thedata of plural types of additional information relating to mainbroadcast), and generates display data of ordinary teletext program anddisplay data of plural types of additional information relating to themain broadcast, and stores (buffers) them in the RAM 305 (step S52 inFIG. 31).

Herein, when the viewer manipulates the mode selection key (i key) ofthe television remote controller 308 and makes the interactive modevalid, the "i" mark appears in the upper left corner of the display unit(CRT) 32 as shown in FIG. 33, telling that the interactive mode is valid(step S53 in FIG. 31).

Furthermore, along with the manipulation of the mode selection key (ikey), by the execution of the script process by the interactive teletextdecoder realized by execution of the process of script process module[SCR] in the ROM 302 by the CPU 301, for example, a selection menuscreen (shopping selection screen) for information exchange havingplural selectors by broadcast related online to the on-screen program isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 34 (step S54 in FIG. 31).

On this selection menu screen (shopping selection screen) forinformation exchange, as the viewer manipulates the direction commandkey (herein left key or right key) of the television remote controller308, the selected and designated selector is emphasized in display (forexample, displayed by flickering), and the specified selector isclarified. At this time, when the decision (firm) key is manipulatedwhile the selector for shopping is emphasized (by flickering), thescreen for introduction and selection of shopping information isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 35 (steps S55, S56 in FIG. 31).

Furthermore, on this screen for introduction and selection of shoppinginformation shown in FIG. 35, when a certain merchandise is selected andspecified, a screen as shown in FIG. 36 appears to display the detail oftransaction and detail of merchandise, and when "revise" is selected onthis screen, it returns to the screen of FIG. 35.

On the screen for confirmation of detail of transaction and detail ofmerchandise shown in FIG. 36, when "confirm" (order) is selected, thetransaction information is automatically transmitted to the server 4through the modem 34 and telephone line (steps S57 in FIG. 31). As aresult, the server 4 confirms that the viewer has ordered the desiredmerchandise through the interactive TV receiver 3, and the correspondingprocessing is executed. At this time, the screen showing the transactionprocess is displayed as shown in FIG. 37.

The process of transmitting to the server 4 is transmitted by automaticdialing using the telephone number contained in the script, and at thistime there are means for transmitting the response informationautomatically by using a common telephone number and means fortransmitting automatically by varying the telephone number for everycontent of response (selector). In the means for transmittingautomatically by varying the telephone number for every content ofresponse (selector), an individual telephone number is assigned forevery response of each selector and preliminarily contained in thescript, and when the CPU 301 of the interactive TV receiver 3 transmitsto the server 4, the CPU 301 originates a call to the server 4 by usingthe individual telephone number for the response content (selector).

The server 4 receives the response information from multiple interactiveTV receivers 3 in the telephone line by the common telephone number orin the telephone line by the individual telephone number in everyresponse content (selector).

Further, the server 4 recognizes the request of the viewer received fromthe interactive TV receiver 3, and presents (transmits) the informationfor information exchange service according to the request to theinteractive TV receiver 3 (step S58 in FIG. 31).

To be more specific, when the server 4 receives transaction informationfrom the interactive TV receiver 3, the local database (L-DB) 42A isretrieved according to the machine ID or individual ID contained in theinformation, and confirmation process and registration process accordingto the transaction content are executed, and when the transaction isestablished, the information noticing this is sent back to theinteractive TV receiver 3 that has made the transaction.

The interactive TV receiver 3, when receiving the transactionestablishment information from the server 4 through the modem 34,displays the screen as shown in FIG. 36 according to the informationcontent.

The viewer utilizes the information exchange service presented from theserver 4 through the medium of the interactive TV receiver 3 (steps S59,S60 in FIG. 31).

To terminate the use of this information exchange service, the viewerbeing presented with the information manipulates, for example, the "menubutton" which instructs end of communication of the television remotecontroller 308, and the information exchange service is terminated, andthe selection menu screen for information exchange having pluralselectors appears again.

This embodiment relates to an example of single shopping information,but the shopping, for example, ranges widely including jewelry, food,clothes, real estate, and others, and in the interactive system offeringtransaction services in plural types, it is also possible to transmitautomatically by using different telephone numbers by the trade andtrader. In this case, plural telephone numbers set individually by tradeand trader are incorporated in the transmission script, and when thetransaction is confirmed at the interactive TV receiver side 3, thetelephone number corresponding to the trade and trader corresponding tothe transaction is sent out to the modem 34, so that transaction serviceusing plural telephone lines can be realized.

By the interactive information exchange function by using the generalhousehold television receiver as the medium and utilizing the publictelephone line, in the system configuration easy to construct anddistribute, extremely saving the user's cost, the viewer can receivedesired information exchange service (for example, educational program,catalog request, merchandise purchase, mailing, ticket reservation, andlocal program presentation) by simple button operation of the televisionremote controller 308.

Specifically, by providing the server 4 with the transaction processingfunction for executing the reception process of the merchandisedesignated by the viewer, and acquiring the address information of theviewer by retrieval of the subscriber database (local database (L-DB)42A, master database (M-DB) 43A) according to the identificationinformation, varied transaction procedures of catalog request,merchandise purchase, mailing, ticket reservation and others can be doneeasily by simple manipulation of the television remote controller.

Or, by providing the server 4 with the transaction processing functionfor executing the reception process of the merchandise designated by theviewer, and acquiring the address (address, name, postal code, etc.)information of the demanding viewer by retrieval of the subscriberdatabase according to the identification information, varied transactionprocedures of catalog request, merchandise purchase, mailing, ticketreservation and others can be done easily by simple manipulation of thetelevision remote controller.

Also by providing the server 4 with the mail exchange and storingmechanism, mails can be exchanged between interactive TV receivers 3.(Moreover, by utilizing the mail exchange function by the interactive TVreceiver 3, not requiring dial operation or sound (voice) response atall, helper system or emergency report system for general household canbe easily constructed.

Thus, the fifth embodiment constructs an interactive television systemof broadcast related online type of high utility and excellentcontrollability for general household in an economically advantageoussystem configuration, by effectively utilizing the broadness in coverageand rapidity in reporting which are basic features of televisionbroadcast, coding transmission system in vertical blanking interval(VBI) of television broadcast, and public telephone line, spread widelyas the existing infrastructure.

Especially, if the information to be supplied to the viewer, that is,the interactive TV receiver 3 is an enormous quantity, the system can bebuilt up so as to supply the information as the basis for judgment bythe viewer from the broadcasting station 1 same as in the precedingembodiment and supply the divided information by the server 4. As aresult, shortage of screen display data or delay of response due toincrease of quantity of information can be prevented. When supplyingdivided information, the identification information used in the fourthembodiment may be utilized, so that adequate information can bepresented & efficiently.

A sixth embodiment of the invention is described below.

FIG. 39 is a diagram showing a system configuration for explaining theoutline of the sixth embodiment.

The sixth embodiment is an interactive television system of so-calledbroadcast non-related online type enabling to exchange information notrelating to the main broadcast, by using the interactive TV receiver.

From the transmission antenna 2 of the broadcasting station 1, script(and screen control information) for presenting a subsidiary imageinformation of broadcast non-related online is transmitted in thevertical blanking interval (VBI) of the main broadcasting program(on-screen program). In FIG. 39, same reference numerals are given tosame constituent elements as in FIG. 1, and detailed description of theconstituent elements is omitted. The definition of the script is same asin the first embodiment.

In the invention, completely unrelated to the broadcast, by effectivelyutilizing the existing infrastructure, bidirectional informationexchange is enabled, and the function of the interactive TV receiver 3is extended.

That is, in the invention, by a third information transmitting function,completely independent of the main broadcast and existing teletextgenerated, displayed and outputted by the reception script, it isintended to extend the function of the interactive TV receiver 3, andthe system is built up by connecting multiple interactive TV receivers 3through public telephone lines. By such configuration of connectingmultiple interactive TV receivers 3 to the server 4 through telephonelines, bidirectional information exchange function of receivers isfurther advanced, and according to the viewer's instruction, onlineinformation exchange not relating to the broadcast (for example,educational program, catalog request guide, merchandise purchase guide,mailing guide, ticket reservation guide, local program and otherinformation exchange, and various information services) can bepresented, and each information exchange can be done easily andselectively only by manipulation of the television remote controller.

That is, in this invention, it is intended to connect the interactive TVreceiver 3 to the server 4 through a telephone line automatically, sothat various information relating to the main broadcast or independentof the main broadcast can be exchanged by connecting the lineautomatically to the server 4 by simple manipulation of the televisionremote controller.

By constructing the information exchange mechanism by using thehousehold television receiver as the medium, for example, variousinformation exchange procedures about catalog request, merchandisepurchase, mailing, ticket reservation, and educational system withscoring function can be done easily by simple manipulation of thetelevision remote controller.

For example, by providing the server 4 with the subscriber database, thetransaction processing function can be realized, relating to the mainbroadcast, or independently of the main broadcast, or not relating tothe main broadcast at all, by executing the reception process of themerchandise designated by the viewer, and acquiring the addressinformation of the viewer by retrieval of the subscriber databaseaccording to the identification information, so that varied transactionprocedures of catalog request, merchandise purchase, mailing, ticketreservation and others can be done easily by simple manipulation of thetelevision remote controller.

Or, by providing the server 4 with the subscriber database, disclosurefunction of information guide presented to the subscriber (disclosure ofpresented information guide menu), and information presenting function,it realizes, completely indifferent to broadcast, the transactionprocess function for executing the reception process of the merchandisespecified by the viewer and acquiring the address information of theviewer by retrieval of the subscriber database according to theidentification information, so that varied transaction procedures forcatalog request, merchandise purchase, mailing, and ticket reservationcan be done by simple manipulation of the television remote controller.

Also by providing the server 4 with the mail exchange and storingmechanism, mails can be exchanged between interactive TV receivers 3,completely indifferent to broadcast.

Moreover, by utilizing the mail exchange function by the interactive TVreceiver 3 and server 4, not requiring dial operation or sound responseat all (that is, not necessary to turn dial or talk), helper system oremergency report system for general household can be easily constructed.

FIG. 40 is a diagram showing an example of processing procedure in theinteractive television system of the above broadcast non-related onlinetype.

In FIG. 40, step S71 shows transmission process of requesting onlineinformation presentation not relating to the broadcast, by buttonoperation of the television remote controller 308 by the viewer.

Step S72 shows the process of receiving the online informationpresentation request by button operation of the television remotecontroller 308 from the viewer, and transmitting the request to theserver 4.

Step S73 shows the process of transmitting presented information guidemenu from the server 4 to disclose the presented information guide tothe viewer. Alternatively, a basic home menu may be stored in the ROM ofthe receiver 3 preliminarily, and it may be displayed in the CRT 32. Inthis case, the menu screen can be displayed promptly and adequately.

Step S74 shows the process of button operation of the television remotecontroller 308 by the viewer for selecting the information exchangeservice to receive information presentation from the presentedinformation guide menu (for example, educational program presentation,catalog request guide, merchandise purchase guide, mailing guide, ticketreservation guide, local program presentation, mail exchange, homehelper booking, use of registered main box (emergency report, etc.),hospital and other facility booking, and other information exchangeservice) by, for example, designation operation of a selector.

Step S75 shows the process of line connection of the request ofinformation exchange service according to the selection data from theviewer to the server 4. Herein, by automatically dialing to the server 4according to the telephone number information of the line connectiondestination stored in the communication control block [CCB] in the RAMmentioned later, the request of information exchange service accordingto the selection data from the viewer is transmitted.

Step S76 shows the process of presenting (transmitting) the data ofinformation exchange service according to the request from the viewer tothe demanding interactive TV receiver 3.

By this interactive information exchange function using the televisionas the medium, the viewer can receive, by simple button operation of thetelevision remote controller 308, desired information exchange service(for example, educational program presentation, catalog request guide,merchandise purchase guide, mailing guide, ticket reservation guide,local program presentation, mail exchange, home helper booking, use ofregistered main box (emergency report, etc.), hospital and otherfacility booking, and other information exchange service).

Specifically, by providing the server 4 with, for example, a transactionprocessing function of executing the reception process of commoditydesignated by the viewer, and acquiring the address information of theordering viewer by retrieval of subscriber database (local database(L-DB) 42A and master database (M-DB) 43A) according to theidentification information, varied transaction procedures such ascatalog request, merchandise purpose, mailing, and ticket reservationcan be executed easily by simple manipulation of the television remotecontroller.

Also by providing the server 4 with the mail exchange and storingmechanism, mails can be exchanged between interactive TV receivers 3.

Moreover, by utilizing the mail exchange function by the interactive TVreceiver 3 and server 4, not requiring dial operation or sound (voice)response at all, helper system or emergency report system for generalhousehold can be easily constructed.

The constitution of the parts in the interactive television systemhaving online bidirectional function not relating to the broadcast issame as in the fifth embodiment, that is, the first embodiment, anddetailed description is omitted (see FIG. 3).

The internal structure of the multimedia teletext receiver 33 andtransmission timing of the control data in the sixth embodiment (scriptand screen control information) are also same as in the fifthembodiment, that is, the first embodiment, and detailed description isomitted (see FIGS. 4, 5, 6A and 6B).

An example of operation of the sixth embodiment is described below. Thebidirectional information exchange service using the broadcast wave isexplained in the fifth embodiment, and detailed description is omitted.

The information exchange service not relating to broadcast wave isdescribed below.

First, the viewer operates button of the television remote controller308 to request online information presentation not relating to broadcast(step S71 in FIG. 40).

The interactive TV receiver 3, when receiving the request of onlineinformation presentation by button operation of the television remotecontroller 308 from the viewer, transmits the request to the sever 4, byautomatically dialing to the server 4 according to the telephone numberinformation of the line connection destination stored in thecommunication control block [CCB] in the RAM 305 (step S72 in FIG. 40).

The server 4, when receiving the request of online informationpresentation by manipulation of the television remote controller 308 bythe viewer, retrieves the local database (L-DB) 42A (or master database(M-DB) 43A) according to identification information to disclose thepresented information guide to the viewer, and acquires the telephonenumber of the demanding viewer, and transmits the presented informationguide menu to the demanding viewer (step S73 in FIG. 40).

At this time, if the private telephone number of the viewer is includedin the information received from the interactive TV receiver 3, theprocess of acquisition of demanding viewer telephone number from thedatabase is skipped, and the line is connected automatically by usingthe received telephone number.

The interactive TV receiver 3 displays the presented information guidemenu on the display screen of the display unit (CRT) 32 according to thedata received from the server 4.

On the presented information guide menu screen, the viewer operates thebutton of the television remote controller 308, and selects the desiredinformation exchange service from the presented information guide menu(for example, educational program presentation, catalog request guide,merchandise purchase guide, mailing guide, ticket reservation guide,local program presentation, mail exchange, home helper booking, use ofregistered main box (emergency report, etc.), hospital and otherfacility booking, and other information exchange service) by, forexample, designation operation of a selector (step S74 in FIG. 40).

At this time, on the presented information guide menu screen, as theviewer manipulates the direction command key of the television remotecontroller 308, the selected and designated selector is emphasized indisplay (for example, displayed by flickering), and the specifiedselector is clarified.

Furthermore, on this screen, when the "decision" key is manipulated, theselection content (request of information exchange service) of theviewer is transmitted to the server 4 (step S75 in FIG. 40).

The server 4, when receiving the request of information exchange servicefrom the viewer, calls the information exchange service informationaccording to the request from the local database (L-DB) 42A or masterdatabase (M-DB) 43A, and saves in the transfer data store buffer notshown, and transmits the information exchange service data according tothe request to the demanding interactive TV receiver 3, thereby startingpresentation of information exchange service (step S76 in FIG. 40).

At this time, depending on the content of the information exchangeservice (for example, presentation of pay TV program), the feeprocessing is started. That is, when presentation of informationexchange service is started, in the subscriber database in the localdatabase (L-DB) 42A or master database (M-DB) 43A, the feed controlregion of the database is updated and controlled, to the subscriberpresented with the information exchange service, by transfer informationquantity, simple time calculation, or package unit calculation.

In this way, the viewer of the interactive TV receiver 3 can receiveinformation exchange service presented from the server 4 according tothe request, through the medium of the TV receiver.

To terminate the use of this information exchange service, the viewerbeing presented with the information manipulates, for example, the "menubutton" which instructs end of communication of the television remotecontroller 308, and the information exchange service is terminated, andthe selection menu screen for information exchange having pluralselectors appears again.

By the interactive information exchange function by using the generalhousehold television receiver as the medium and utilizing the publictelephone line, in the system configuration easy to construct anddistribute, extremely saving the user's cost, the viewer can receivedesired information exchange service (for example, educational program,catalog request, merchandise purchase, mailing, ticket reservation, andlocal program presentation) by simple button operation of the televisionremote controller 308.

Specifically, by providing the server 4 with the transaction processingfunction for executing the reception process of the merchandisedesignated by the viewer, and acquiring the address information of theviewer by retrieval of the subscriber database (local database (L-DB)42A, master database (M-DB) 43A) according to the identificationinformation, varied transaction procedures of catalog request,merchandise purchase, mailing, ticket reservation and others can be doneeasily by simple manipulation of the television remote controller.

Or, by providing the server 4 with the transaction processing functionfor executing the reception process of the merchandise designated by theviewer, and acquiring the address (address, name, postal code, etc.)information of the demanding viewer by retrieval of the subscriberdatabase according to the identification information, varied transactionprocedures of catalog request, merchandise purchase, mailing, ticketreservation and others can be done easily by simple manipulation of thetelevision remote controller.

Also by providing the server 4 with the mail exchange and storingmechanism, mails can be exchanged between interactive TV receivers 3.

Moreover, by utilizing the mail exchange function by the interactive TVreceiver 3, not requiring dial operation or sound (voice) response atall, helper system or emergency report system for general household canbe easily constructed.

Thus, the sixth embodiment constructs an online interactive televisionsystem, not relating to the broadcast, of high utility and excellentcontrollability for general household in an economically advantageoussystem configuration, by effectively utilizing the broadness in coverageand rapidity in reporting which are basic features of televisionbroadcast, public telephone lines, etc., spread widely as the existinginfrastructure.

In the described first to sixth embodiments, the control data, thetransfer destination information and the telephone number informationare included in a vertical blanking interval of the broadcasting wave.However, the video signal (the broadcasting wave) may includes thecontrol data, the transfer destination information and the telephonenumber information in another position rather than the vertical blankinginterval.

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details, and representative devices shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A television system comprising:a receiverassociated with a television display; and a line processing device, saidreceiver comprising,first receiving means for receiving a televisionbroadcast signal including transfer designation information and aprogram configured to control the television display to cause display ofa menu screen associated with a television broadcast being received as apart of the television broadcast signal, wherein the transferdestination information and the program are embedded in a verticalblanking interval of the television broadcast signal, means foridentifying the program and the transfer destination information fromthe television broadcast signal received by said first receiving meansand for storing the identified program, means for inputting aninstruction from an operator, a memory for storing identificationinformation, display control means for causing the television display todisplay an additional information selection screen for selectingarbitrary additional information from plural pieces of additionalinformation based on the stored program, in response to the instructioninput by said input means, and output means for outputting transfer datacorresponding to the additional information selected by the operator ofsaid plural pieces of additional information, together with theidentification information stored in said memory, according to thetransfer destination information, in response to the instruction inputby said input means; and the line processing device comprising,secondreceiving means for receiving the transfer data and the identificationinformation output from said output means, and processing means forexecuting processing which corresponds to the additional informationselected by the operator, according to the transfer data andidentification information received by said second receiving means.
 2. Atelevision system according to claim 1, wherein the program includesscript for providing the plural pieces of additional informationindependent of the television broadcast provided by the televisionbroadcast signal.
 3. A television system according to claim 1, whereinthe transfer destination information includes a plurality of linenumbers assigned to the plural pieces of additional informationrespectively.
 4. A television system according to claim 1, wherein saidinput means possesses:a remote controller having at least one operationbutton to be manipulated by the operator, and means for outputting asignal corresponding to manipulation of this operation button as theinstruction, and a remote control receiver for receiving the signaloutput by the remote controller.
 5. A television system comprising:aplurality of receivers, each receiver being associated with acorresponding television display; and a line processing device connectedto said plurality of receivers, each one of said plurality of receiverscomprising,first receiving means for receiving a television broadcastsignal including a first transfer destination information and a programconfigured to control a corresponding first television display to causedisplay of a menu screen associated with a television broadcast beingreceived as a part of the television broadcast signal, wherein thetransfer destination information and the program are embedded in avertical blanking interval of the television broadcast signal, means foridentifying the program and the transfer destination information fromthe television broadcast signal received by said first receiving meansand for storing the program and the transfer destination information,means for inputting an instruction from an operator, a memory forstoring identification information, display control means for causingthe corresponding first television display to display an additionalinformation selection screen for selecting arbitrary additionalinformation from plural pieces of additional information based on thestored program, in response to the instruction input by said inputmeans, and output means for outputting transfer data corresponding tothe additional information selected by the operator, together with theidentification information stored in said memory to said line processingdevice, according to the transfer destination information, in responseto the instruction input by said input means; and said line processingdevice comprising,second receiving means for receiving the transfer dataand the identification information outputted from said output means, andprocessing means for executing predetermined processing in every one ofthe plural pieces of additional information, according to the transferdata and the identification information received by said secondreceiving means.
 6. A television system according to claim 5, whereinthe program includes script for providing the plural pieces ofadditional information relating to the television broadcast provided bythe television broadcast signal.
 7. A television system according toclaim 5, wherein the transfer destination information includes aplurality of line numbers assigned to the plural pieces of additionalinformation respectively.
 8. A television system according to claim 5,wherein said input means possesses:a remote controller having at leastone operation button to be manipulated by the operator, and means foroutputting a signal corresponding to manipulation of the operationbutton as the instruction, and a remote control receiver for receivingthe signal output by the remote controller.
 9. A television systemaccording to claim 5, wherein the predetermined processing by saidprocessing means is counting of the received transfer data in every oneof said plural pieces of additional information.